Glasgow SNP MSP, Bob Doris, met recently (Wednesday 11th) with Alex Neil MSP, Scotland's Minister for Housing and Communities to discuss the prospect of Glasgow accessing the £60m Town Centre Regeneration Fund. When the fund was announced as part of the 2009-10 Scottish Budget it was assumed by many that large cities such as Glasgow would not qualify.

However since then Mr Doris has written to the Minister to press Glasgow's case and put a motion before parliament on the matter. Mr Doris has already met with Steve Inch, the Head of Development and Regeneration at Glasgow City Council to see how a bid may be taken forward. Today's meeting with the Minister is the latest part of Mr Doris's ongoing campaign.

Of the meeting Mr Doris said: "The Minister listened carefully to the points I made and I am confident that Glasgow will find itself in the running for a share of funding that many had previously assumed would not be possible. What I would say though is that if anyone believes they have a project in Glasgow which could be considered for funding they should explore the idea now rather than wait until the full bidding criteria is known. Other parts of Scotland will currently be working out how they can make a bid and Glasgow projects must ensure they are not left behind.

"I was left with a clear impression that if a bid is of sufficient quality and gave good value for money then Glasgow's town centres can benefit.

"The Minister understood the clear issues that many parts of Glasgow face. I stressed the 'double whammy' of many run down Glasgow town centres. Proximity to the city centre often leads to those with cars and disposable income using the city centre or out of town shopping. Glasgow's town centres are often left struggling and with many of the locals that use them marginalised and with a poor range of facilities. We need to look at ways of making Glasgow's town centres a more attractive place for the whole community to use.

"There are several areas across Glasgow including Springburn, Possilpark and Maryhill who could potentially benefit and I would be keen to assist any bid."

Notes:

1. Mr Doris's motion.

S3M-03579 Bob Doris (Glasgow) (Scottish National Party): Cities and the Town Centre Regeneration Fund— That the Parliament notes the importance of vibrant town centres up and down Scotland in increasing sustainable economic growth; recognises the importance of town centres for local residents and in attracting others to spend their money in the local community; welcomes the Scottish Government’s £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund, which will provide a much needed boost to town centres that are feeling the ill effects of the current economic downturn; notes that many city-based town centres suffer from the draw of a large city centre and from out-of-town shopping centres, often leaving the most socially excluded residents in the area using a poor range of facilities; welcomes the Minister for Housing and Communities’ agreement to explore the prospect of city areas being able to apply for money from this fund, and believes that locations in Glasgow such as Springburn Shopping Centre and Victoria Road are just some examples of areas that could benefit.

2. Mr Doris's initial letter to the Minister